Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount that was spent by him on flood relief works in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2865/10]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount allocated in the budget of the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 for flood relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2952/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to takes Questions Nos. 98 and 105 together.

The tables set out the allocation for flood relief activities, for Capital Works, Drainage Maintenance and Hydrometric headings, for the Office of Public Works and the subsequent expenditure under these heading in the years from 2004 to 2009.

CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE

Major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations and invariably have lengthy lead-in times. Underspending on river based engineering works can arise for a variety of factors including:

weather related problems,

unexpected archaeological finds,

the discovery of contamination,

and other environmental/ecological and local issues.

MAINTENANCE and HYDROMETRIC EXPENDITURE

Since 1996 OPW has invested approximately €200M on Capital Flood Relief Projects, with over €130M invested in the 2004 – 2009 period in question. OPW has currently profiled expenditure in excess of €200 million on about fifteen major capital schemes from now to 2014. The Government has allocated €50M for this area in 2010 and construction works on about twelve major projects will continue throughout this year as well as taking other projects through the various stages of development. A significant amount of the allocation will be spent on the Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works Programme where OPW will provide funding to local authorities to undertake such localised flood relief work themselves. An initial amount of €6m has been allocated for this in 2010. This may be reviewed when all applications have been received from local authorities.

OPW has also spent approximately €112M in the period in question under the Drainage Maintenance and Hydrometric Programmes. An allocation of €18.326M has been provided for these Programmes in 2010 bringing the total allocation for OPW Flood Relief Activities to €68.326M. Overall, OPW is satisfied that the allocation for 2010 will be fully expended.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Finance the amounts returned unspent to his Department in respect of moneys allocated to local authorities for flood relief works in respect of the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2870/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Funding is provided by the Office of Public Works on an ongoing basis to local authorities to undertake agreed flood relief works, of a major nature, under the local authorities' own powers. Since 2009, OPW has also introduced a Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works Programme where funding is provided to the local authorities for localised flood relief works. No monies from the funding provided under any of these headings has been returned unspent to OPW.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Finance the additional funds given to the Office of Public Works or any other agencies to address the aftermath of the flooding of November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2872/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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In the aftermath of the severe flooding of November 2009, the Government undertook a number of initiatives to address the situation. The most pressing issue at the time was to provide assistance to those immediately affected and also to assist the Local Authorities in the post-flood clean-up. An initial sum of €10m was provided for a Humanitarian Aid Scheme, which is administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, to alleviate the hardship caused. The Government also indicated that further funding would be made available, if required.

A further €2m was allocated for a targeted Fodder Aid Scheme to be administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to assist farmers who were experiencing a fodder shortage, which might have led to financial hardship and potential animal welfare issues on affected farms. Funding of €14m was provided by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the post-flood clean-up by Local Authorities.

In addition to these immediate initiatives, the Government has allocated €50m for flood risk management activities for 2010, which is administered by the Office of Public Works. This increased allocation will allow OPW to extend the number of Capital Works schemes already underway throughout the country. Within the overall allocation, I have also announced an increase for Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works to be undertaken by Local Authorities in 2010. This Programme, which I initiated in 2009, has been increased initially to €6m, and is to cater for works or studies which can be completed in 2010. OPW is currently seeking applications from Local Authorities, and, when the applications are received and evaluated, the allocation may be reviewed.